Are you planning to purchase a condo-apartment in a popular urban area just a short walk from fine restaurants, cultural attractions and public transportation?

And do you believe that now could be an opportune time to find an excellent deal on that condo in your favorite city?

If so, you’re not alone in your quest to change your lifestyle at a time when many city condos are selling at reasonable prices, says John Rygiol, an independent real estate broker who’s sold property since 1971.

But Rygiol says it’s critical for all would-be urban condo buyers to be highly selective when hunting for a condo to purchase.

“Besides the overall location of the building, which is of extreme importance, you definitely want to position yourself in the least noisy section of that building,” says Rygiol, whose firm represents solely buyers in real estate transactions.

“If you can help it, never buy a unit overlooking a noisy road or highway. Also, watch out for any condo that’s located underneath an airport flight path,” he says.

But it’s not only cars and planes that can cost condo dwellers their peace of mind and sound sleep.

As Rygiol notes, the rituals of everyday living in the city can lead to nerve-racking days and nights for those who choose the wrong condo unit.

“You’d never want to be within earshot of a trash collection center or a noisy restaurant or club,” he says.

In addition, Rygiol warns condo purchasers to avoid buying any apartment that shares a wall with an elevator shaft.

“But just wait until the first night that people who’ve had a few drinks start congregating in the hallway outside the elevator. Then you’ll think you’re living in Las Vegas,” he says.

Here are a few pointers for homebuyers searching for the right urban condo:

Consider the downside of living in an older condo building.

Tastes vary and some venerable condo buildings can be very charming. However, there could be a price to pay for all that old-fashioned elegance in terms of a comfortable living style, says Stephen Israel, the president of a real estate brokerage affiliated with the National Association of Exclusive Buyers Agents (www.naeba.org).

“Newer buildings, especially those under 10 years of age, will usually give you better soundproofing,” Israel says.

Because of the noise problems that sometimes plague older buildings, residents in these structures are often banned from using any floor covering except carpet.

Look for plenty of windows and a favorable orientation to the sun.

Whether you’re scouting for a condo to serve as a second home in a balmy resort city or one that will serve as your primary residence in a chillier area, real estate specialists say you’d be wise to seek out a corner unit that gets plenty of daytime light, from morning to dusk.

“What you get when you’re located in the corner of a building and face either southeast or southwest is more sunlight from breakfast time to late in the day. You won’t be living in the shadows,” Israel says.

Corner units with large windows are not only very appealing to most owners from a lifestyle standpoint, but they also do well on the resale market — should you have to sell in a hurry.

Look for the best possible parking situation in a condo building.

Many urban high-rise buildings, both older and newer, have underground parking garages reachable from an elevator within the building. And although urban condo residents are more likely to use public transportation than are suburbanites, many like to keep a car in the city anyway.

As Israel says, the value of an assigned parking spot in an urban setting is greater for owners who have relatively easy access to their vehicles.

“You don’t want to have to walk down a long corridor to get to the elevator that goes to the parking garage. It’s better to be somewhat closer, though not too close, to this elevator,” Israel says.

Also, try to pick a unit that comes with a well- situated parking space.

Shop for a wonderful view from any apartment you plan to buy.

For the increasing number of homebuyers, including many baby boom-age purchasers who aspire to a more urban lifestyle, the draw of the city is highly correlated to a sense of excitement with urban living. And this often translates into a yearning for a striking city view from their apartment.

Rygiol urges buyers seeking a good view to buy a place on the highest available floor in the building, and a top-floor penthouse unit if they can afford it.

“For people who love city buzz, or any spectacular view from the top of a high-rise, there’s nothing better than a great vista overlooking either city lights or natural beauty or both,” Rygiol says.

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